Glass feeder



April 16, 1935. P. KucERA GLASS FEEDER Filed NOV. v19, 1931 4Sheets-Shanal l 1 INVENTOR p s:

P. KUCERA GLASS FEEDER April 16, 1935.

4 Sheets-Sheet Filed NOV. 19, 1931 INVENTOR 85 I j- M April 16,1935. P.KUCERA 1,997,798

GLASS FEEDER Filed Nov. 19, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR mynjm? April16, 1935. P KUQERA v 1,997,798

Y GLAssFEEDER Filed Nbv. 19, 1951 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR Premsa Apr.1e, 193s #j l s 1,997,798

.umrEDfsrATEs `PATi-:NT oFrlcE Empire Company, Hartford, Conn., acorporation of Delaware Application November 19, 1931, Serial No.576,024 9 (Cl. 49-55) This invention relates to improvements in feedendofthe channel in the refractory material 9 ers for glass formingmachinery more Aparticuwhich `is secured by a grooved anchoring platelarly to the type generally known in the art as I0, that is secured tothe steel framework 4 by suspended charge feeders and it is among thebolts II. v-

5 objects thereof to provide a feeder which shall Directly below theorifice is the shearing mech- 5 be provided with improved means forregulating anism generally designated at I2 which is shown the size,shape and rate of feeding of the susin detail in Figures 3 and 5 of thedrawings. pended charge; which shall be adapted for adv Theplunger 1 issecured in an off-set bracket justment without interrupting its glassfeeding Il that is mounted on the end of a hollow sleeve operation; andwhich shall be provided with indi- I5 which has a sliding t in acylindrical bracket 10 cating means for recording the adjustments for I6which may be integrally formed with the steel future reproduction ofidentical movements and housing -t that supports the .feeder channel I.dwells of all parts. g The feeding plunger 1is operated by a verticallyThe primary object of the invention is the proreciprocating plunger I1,the bottom of which is vision of improved mechanical means foroperatprovided with a hand wheel I8 for adjusting the l5 ing the plungerand the shearing mechanism and height of the refractory plunger 1.Connected to for coordinating thel operation of the shearing thevertically movable plunger I1 is an oscillatxnechanism with the movementof the plunger, ing shaft or lever I3 which is pivoted at 2Ii at atogether with improved mechanical means for adpoint intermediate itslength. The shaft i9 is 23 justing the stroke of the plunger and foreffecting operated through a pair of connecting rods 2| 20 a rapidreturn stroke thereof for purposes to be and 22 having cam followers 23and 24 respechereinafter stated. l I l tively which engage actuatingcams 25 and 2G.

These and other objects of the invention will The rods 2l and 22 areconnected to the oscillatbecome more apparent from a consideration/ ofing lever I3 through suitable linkage having'piv- 25 the accompanyingdrawings constituting a part otal connections at 2|'- and 22 at oppositesides o 25 hereof in' which like reference characters de'sigthe pivotalsupport for the lever, with slide bracknate like parts and in which:`ets 21. and 28. These brackets are adjustable on Figure 1 is a sideelevational view 'partially in the lever i9 by means of screws 29 and 30having section of a feeder embodying the principles of hand wheels 3|and 32 respectively which are 3'0 this invention; journaled in thebracket 33 and an 'oir-set por- 30 Figure 2 a front elevational viewthereof showtion 34. The linkage connecting the rod 2| to the' ing theglass feeding channel and accompanying slide bracket 21 consists of ahollow sleeve 3d parts in cross-section and'illustrating a portionpivoted at 31 to the rod 2l and having an enof the drive mechanism incross-section; larged end 'forming an abutment for a coil spring Figure3 is a horizontal sectional view partially 38. A rod 39 is disposed inthe hollow sleeve 36 35 in elevation of the shear and drive mechanism;and adapted for axial movement therein. The

Figure 4 a top plan view of Figure 1; 1 rod is provided with a screwthreaded portion 40 Figure 5 aside elevation partially in section ofonwhich are mounted a pair of ring nuts 4I thev shear operating mechanism;which constitute an abutment for the coil spring 40 Figure 6 adiagrammatic view of the plunger 38 which together with the sleeve 36limit the 40 operating cam mechanism; and, l space within which the coilspring is conned. Figure '7 a similar view of the shear operating Byadjusting the ring nuts Il, the spring 38 may cam. -f I be compressed toany desired degree forl a pur- With' reference to the several figures ofthe pose to be hereinafter stated. drawings, the structure thereinillustrated comV Rod 22 is connected to slide bracket 2B by the 45prises a glass vfeeding channel I communicating following mechanism.Threaded studs 42 and t3 with a glass melting tank,` a portion of whichis are pivotally connected to the rod 22 and slide designated by thereference character 2,' the bracket 23 respectively. A sleeve 44 havingin channel being of refractory walls 3 shown in Figternally threadedends is disposed in axial align-n ure 2 enclosed within a metallichousing 4. The ment with the studs with its threads coacting with. 50

'channel member I. is preferably closed by a cover the threaded portionsof the studs.

i having a perforation 6 through which the The interior of sleeve M isprovided with a conplunger 1 enters the glass channel, the channel`stricte'd opening 45 which is adapted to receive and plunger being ofthe cnventional form. An pilots I6 and 41 of the studs to provide amaximum e orice B is provided at the bottom of the forward surface ofcontact between the sieeve and studs 55 for any position of itsadjustment which is effected through a hand wheel 48.

Cams 25 and 26 which actuate the oscillating arm I9 are mounted on acounter shaft 49 to which cam 26 is secured to rotate by a spline or key56. Cam 26 has a flanged end 5| which constitutes a support for a wormgear 52. 'I'he worm gear is adapte to be rotated for angular movement bya worm 59 through which the counter shaft 49 is driven.

Cam 25 has an extension sleeve 54 terminating in a bevel gear 55 whichconstitutes one of the gears of a differential gear transmission ofwhich the other gear 55' is adapted to rotate with the worm gear 52.Gear 66 is mounted on a hub member 51 having a worm gear face 58, theteeth of which interact with the worm 59 which is hand operated toeffect angular adjustment between the cam surfaces of the cams 25 and26. The counter shaft and differential mechanism are housed in a casing60 one end of which is provided with the mechanism for operating thecutting shears and which consist of a cam 6| that rotates with a bevelgear 62, a bevel gear 63 which is keyed at 64 to the counter shaft 49and a planetary gear. 65 carried by a hub member 66 which is angularlymovable through a worm 61 in the manner of the member 51 heretoforedescribed.

Cam 6| operates the shear mechanism through engagement of cam followers68, 68 which are connected to a reciprocating plate 69 mounted in aslide 18. Plate 69 operates a slide barv1| which through toggles 12actuate the cutting arms 13 and 14 to which the shears 15 and 16 arefastened. The arms are pivotally joined at 11. Vertical adjustment ofthe shears is provided through the screw mechanism 18.

The feeding and shearing mechanism is synchronized with the glassforming machine by a valve 19 Figure 1 which is controlled by the cam6|. The cam is provided with a high spot on its outer periphery whichactuates the valve 19 in synchronism with the movements of the feeder.The valve 19 is adjustable to be advanced or retarded with the motion ofthe shear and retains the timed relation of the shearing action and thestarting of the forming machine when the timing of the plunger and shearis adjusted.

Connection of the slide member 69 with the shear plunger 1I is effectedthrough the mechanism disclosed in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings whichconsists of levers 88 and 88' pivoted at 8| on an upright 82 extendingfrom the housing 60 to which it is bolted at 83. The top of lever 89 isdisposed in a slotted opening 84 of the plunger 1| and a combined shearadjusting and safety mechanism generally designated at 85 is mounted onthe top of lever 80. The mechanism 85 is provided with the coil spring86 on one side of lever S and an adjustable set screw 81 on the otherside of the lever, the adjustment of the screw 91 determining the amountof overlap of the shears and spring 96 to stop movement of the lever 88when the shears engage an obstruction such as a stone in the glass to becut.

In Figure 6 cams 25 and 26 are diagrammatically illustrated and areshown as opposed to each other, the follower 29 and plunger 2| beingshown at the extreme rise of the cam 25.

It is very desirable to reproduce movements and dwells of the operatingparts of the plunger and shear mechanisms and on account of themechanism being mechanical as distinguished from uid pressure orsemi-fluid pressure operated devices and therefore positive in itsaction. the adjustable parts are provided with graduations that arecalibrated in accordance with the adjustments desired or necessary forthe proper operation of the feeder.

To this end calibrations 96 are provided on the plunger support l bymeans of which the plunger 1 may be positively set with respect to theoutlet 8. Connecting rods 2| and 22 are calibrated at 9| and 92 todetermine the adjustments effected by the cams 25 and 26 respectively.The oscillating bar |9 is calibrated at 93 and 94 to adjust the slidebrackets 21 and 28. 'I'he rod 39 is calibrated at 95 to adjust thetension of spring 38, and the adjusting worm screws 59 and 61 aresimilarly calibrated to reproduce adjustments of the cams through thedifferential gear mechanisms.

The operation of the above described feeder mechanism is briefly asfollows:

The primary elements of the apparatus comprises the feeding trough fromwhich molten glass is delivered in a stream through the orifice 8; theplunger 1 mounted for reciprocating movement in a vertical direction inregister with the outlet orifice of the feeding trough I; the shear 15for severing this stream of molten glass at predetermined intervalsthereby separating the severed glass from the source of supply; and themechanism for actuating and regulating the plunger and shear inpredetermined relation.

'Ihe operating mechanism produces positive movements and dwells and hasa wide range of adjustments operative during the operation of theAfeeder to obtain and maintain the required weight and shape ofsuspended charge without interrupting the machine. There are no camswhich must be changed and which would necessitate shutting down themachine and by means of the calibrated movable parts desired operatingconditions may be reproduced at will.

The counter shaft 49 is actuated through the drive worm 53 by a suitableprime mover and since the hub members 51 and 66 are stationary, rotativemovement is transmitted through the planetary gears 56 and 65 to thebevel gears 55 and 62 which rotate cams 25 and 6| respectively.

First describing the operation of the plunger it may be stated that therefractory plunger 1 is oscillated to subject it to the regular andsteady downward movement which is effected through the cam 26.

The height of plunger 1 is regulated through the adjustment of the handwheel |8 and the length of stroke of the plunger is varied through Itheadjustable sleeve 44 of the connecting rod operated by cam 26; also byadjusting the slide brackets 21 and 28.

Since cam 26 is keyed to the shaft 49, the cam 25 may be displaced withrespect to the cam 26 by adjustment of the worm 59 which subjects thehub 51 to angular movement. When the worm 59 is rotated by hand, the cam25 will be subjected to angular displacement relative to cam 26 andsimilarly by rotation of the worm 61 cam 6| is displaced relative tocams 25 and 26.

By adjusting the cams 25 and 26, the speed of the stroke of the plungermay be varied. There are provided adjustments that affect the locationor height of the plunger, the length of stroke of the plunger, and thespeed of the plunger cycle, these adjustments being the hand wheel |8,the movement of the slide brackets 21 and 26 through the hand wheels 8|and 32, the adjustment of the connecting rod of plunger 22 through thehand wheel 48, and the displacement of the cams 25 and 26 through theworm 7l 59. All of these adjustments may be made while the feeder is inoperation. It has been found in practice that after the plunger hasreached its lowermost position in displacing glass for a charge throughthe orifice and it is subjected to an impulsive thrust in the upwarddirection, it will cause a contraction of the suspended charge below theorifice which reduces the area of glass to be cut off by the shears. Theplunger operating mechanism herein described is especially adapted toaccomplish this function through the employment of the coil spring 38which is compressed at the instant that the plunger 14 is in itslowermost position. Accordingly, when the follower of cam 26 passes fromthe high spot on the cam, spring 38 will produce a sudden upward thrustof the plunger which causes the suspended charge to contract just belowthe orice in the plane of the shears. At the same instant, the cam 25will cause the connecting rod of plunger 2l to raise the suspendedcharge feeding plunger 1 in its upward movement until at the end of theup stroke the follower 23 passes from the high spot of the cam at whichtime cam 26 will again become active to oscillate the shaft I9 in thedirection for lowering the plunger. It is of course evident that theupward thrust of the plunger can .be entirely eliminated by this samespring adjustment.

By adjusting the end of plunger 1 with the mouth of the orice 8, asuspended charge of desired length and weight is produced. The formingof the suspended'charge is also regulated by the speed of the plunger 1lin its downward travel which isregulated by the differential mechanismof the cams 25 and 26. If the speed of travel of the plunger 1 is inexcess of the rate of flow of the glass to the orifice 8, a thickersuspended charge will be produced the same as the glass travel.Accordingly, the shape of the suspended charge can be controlled throughthe differential gears effecting cam displacement as previouslydescribed.

From the foregoing it is evident that the downward stroke of the plunger1 may be regulated independently of the upward stroke and vice versa.AlsoA that the length of the plunger stroke and dwells may be variedindependently gf the speed of stroke while the plunger is in moion.

With reference to the cam 6l, suitable adjustment may be made throughthe worm 61 to displace cam 6I with respect 'to the cam 26 so thatoscillation of the shear lever may be coordihated with the feeding ofthe suspended charge. This adjustment may also be effected while thefeeder is in operation, and the shear4 may be rendered inoperative bysimply, tripping the latch lever 69' shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

In the normal operation of the shears, the

'latch 69', which is pivotally supported on the outer end portion ofvthe slide bar 69, functions to retain the lower end portion of thelever 80' against an abutment or shoulder 69a on the slide bar 69. Thesurfaces of the shoulder 69a and of the latch in contact with lever 60'are curved, substantially as s own, to obviate anv binding action on thelever when the slide bar is reciprocated to effect oscillation of thelever. If the latch 69' be tripped or turned angularly about the axis ofits pivotal connection with the bar 69, as in a clockwise direction fromthe position shown in Fig. 5, the lever 60' will be released from thelatter is at the outer the slide bar 69 when end of its stroke and theshears will be thrown out of operation with the blades thereof in theiropen or retracted positions. To cause resumption of operation of theshears by the reciprocating slide bar, it is only necessary to returnthe latch 69' to the position shown in Fig. 5.

By adjustment of cam 6I through the gear and worm 66 and 61, the actionof the shearl blades 15 and 16 may be advanced or retarded 1. In a glassfeeder, a container for molten,

glass, said container having a submerged discharge outlet, an implementadapted for reciprocation in the glass toward and from the outlet, alever adjacent to the container, connections between the lever and theimplement of such character that oscillation of the lever willreciprocate the implement, cam actuated means for swinging the lever inone direction to move the implement away from the outlet, and other camactuated means for swinging the lever in the opposite direction to movethe implement toward the outlet, one of said cam actuated meansincluding a lost motion device.

2. In a glass feeder, a container for molten glass, said containerhaving a submerged dis'- charge outlet, an implement adapted forreciprocation in the glass toward'and from the outlet, a lever adjacentto the container, connections between the lever and the implement ofsuch character that oscillation of the lever will reciprocate theimplement, cam actuated means for swinging the lever in one direction tomove the implement away from the outlet, and other cam actuated meansfor swinging the lever in the opposite direction to move the implementtoward the outlet, one of said cam actuated means in' 3. In a glassfeeder, a container for molten glass, said container having a submergeddischarge outlet, an implement adapted for reciprocation in the glasstoward and from the outlet, a lever adjacent .to the container,connections between the lever and the implement of such character thatoscillation of the lever will reciprocate the implement, a rotatingcam,'a connecting rod mechanism pivotally connected at one end with saidlever and operable by said cam to swing the lever in one direction, asecond rotating cam, a second connecting rod mechanism pivotallyconnected at one end to said lever and operable by the second cam toswing the lever in the opposite direction, and means for effecting aphase change between the cycle of rotation of one of saidcams withrespect to the cycle of rotation of the other cam.

4. In a glass feeder, a container for molten glass., said containerhaving a submerged discharge outlet, an implement adapted forreciprocation in the glass toward and from the outlet, a lever adjacentto the container, connections between the lever and the implement ofsuch character that oscillation of the lever will reciprocate theimplement, a'rotating cam, a connecting rod mechanism pivotallyconnected at one end with said lever and operable by said cam to swingthe lever in one direction, a secondrotating cam, a second connectingrod mechanism pivotally connected with one end to said lever andoperable by the second cam to swing'the lever in the opposite direction,and means for independently adjusting the points or pivotal connection'between said connecting rod mechanisms and said lever.

5. In a glass feeder, a container for molten glass, said containerhaving a submerged discharge outlet, an implement adapted forreciprocation in the glass toward and away from the outlet, a leveradjacent to the container, connections between the lever and theimplement of such character that oscillation of the lever willreciprocate the implement, a cam shaft adjacent to said lever, a pair ofcams mounted to rotate about the axis of said cam shaft, means operableduring rotation of 'said cams for adjusting one of said cams angularlyabout the axis of said cam shaft independently of the other cam, andmotion transmitting devices individual to said cams and receiving motiondirectly therefrom for oscillating said lever, said motion transmittingdevices being connected directly to said lever. 6. In glass machinery, areciprocatory member, a lever connected-therewith in such manner thatoscillation of the lever will reciprocate said member, a pair ofrotating cams, a connecting rod mechanism pivotally connected atone endwith 'said lever and operable by one of said cams to swing the leverinone direction,` a second connecting rod mechanism operable by theother c am and pivotally connected with'said lever for swinging saidlever in the opposite direction, one ofsaid connecting rod mechanismsincluding a lost motion device comprising spaced relatively movableelements and a spring yieldingly resisting relative movement between thesaid elements.

7. In a glass feeder, glass severing mechanism comprising a pair ofshear' blades, a lever, connections between the lever and the shearblades of such character that oscillation of the lever will open andclose said shear blades, a reciprocating actuator eiectlve when movingin one direction to swing said lever to position to eir'ect opening ofthe shear blades, and a pivoted latch movable bodily with the actuatorand normally connecting the lever with the actuator so that the returnmovement of the latter will swing thel lever to position to effectclosing of the shear blades, said latch being movable at will toposition to cause release of said lever from the actuator after thelever has been swung to its rst named positon.

8. In a glass feeder, glass severing mechanism comprising a pair ofpivoted shear blades, a lever, connections between the lever and theshear blades of such character that oscillation of the levez' willalternately open and close the shear blades, a slide member having anabutment bearing against one side of the free end portion of said lever,and a pivoted latch carried by the slide member and normally bearingagainst the opposite side of the free end portion of said lever, wherebythe lever will be oscillated by said reciprocating slide member andlatch, said latch being swingable at will 'to .a position out ofmotion-transmitting engagement with the lever, whereby the latter mayremain stationary at one end of its path 'of swinging movement duringthe continued reciprocation of said slide member. v

blades, a second lever pivoted to swing about the same axis as the ilrstlever, such second lever having an extended end portion overlapping aportion of the nrst lever, anadiusting screw carried by said extendingend portion of the Second lever in position to bear' against one edge ofthe adjacent portion of the first lever, a coil spring carried by saidextending end portion of the second lever in position to bear againstthe opposite edge of the adjacent portion of the ilrst lever, wherebyswinging movement of the second lever will swing the r'st leverpositively to position to eifect opening o! the shear blades and thereturn swinging movement of the second lever will transmit motionthrough said spring vto said rst lever to swing the latter in thedirection required to close the shear blades, and means for oscillatingsaid second lever.

PE'IER KUCERA.

